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Letter to the editor: Yet Another Confusing Message to WomenJanuary 14, 2016

This week, yet another national organization, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force, sent yet another confusing message to women, advising delayed screening mammography from age 40 to 50.

Perhaps surprising are the facts: 50,000 of the 230,000 women diagnosed with breast cancer in the U.S. annually are in their 40’s. We are astounded that any reasonable person would recommend these women ignore their cancer (allowing it to progress dangerously) for any protracted period of time.

Over and again, the guidelines discuss reduced mortality rates. What about quality of life? What about helping women, through early detection, to avoid unnecessary surgery, chemotherapy, or other radical treatments – thus ensuring a better outcome.

At Solis Mammography, a 30-year leader in breast health, we’re concerned guidelines like these are confusing women about their options. In addition, it may allow insurers to limit coverage in the future. For this reason, we participated in a lobbying effort which successfully resulted in Congressional legislation, creating a two-year moratorium on denying mammography coverage for women in their 40’s.

As an advocate for women, Solis will continue to defend their right to the life-saving benefits and peace of mind that come from early detection.